Tuesday, February 17, 2009

My dad went home

My dad is at home with his parents now. On Thursday he was moved from ICU, where he'd been for 6 weeks, cared for very attentively after his surgery, to Hospice care. I'm glad I was there to see him that day, and that I spent time with him every day, up to yesterday afternoon, when I saw him last. He couldn't talk anymore, except for a word here or there, but he looked at me with his same joking gaze, and made me laugh when he raised his eyebrows from time to time. I held his hand a lot (probably more than I ever had in my whole life), combed his hair, and sang and hummed to him as much as possible. He seemed happy about that.

We all spent time with him, we all talked to him and shared love with him. He left us today, at 12 PM - my mom was there to see him go, and my brother. One of the last things he said, a couple of days ago, was that God would take care of everything. He was not an old man but he'd lived a lot, and he was tired. Give abuelito and abuelita a hug for me, Dad, I'll see you all someday.

He could quote to you, word for word, books he'd read 20 years ago (I tested him on this). He had a beautiful tenor voice, and later in life, he sang a huge, sonorous baritone. When I was a child, he was very stern, always had a quick temper, and found it hard to show anyone love. As he grew older, he softened and was so kind to my young nieces and nephews that they adored him. One day, months ago, he apologized for how he'd been when I was growing up. He said, with tears in his eyes, "I was so smart! I thought I knew everything. I knew nothing."

Floresita, I'm so sorry. It sounds like your father had a happy life, and that he's at peace now, but I know this must be so hard for you, and my heart goes out to you. You and your family will be in my thoughts.

I was just going to e-mail you. I am so sorry Flor. I am just glad you were able to make it out there one last time. If there is anything you need just e-mail me. I am thinking and praying for you and your family.

i'm so sad and sorry to hear this, floresita. my thoughts and prayers and with you, your family and your dad. i wish your mom all the courage and strength she needs at this time. in the end you will see that "god will take care of everything".

I am so sorry for your loss. You were blessed to have such a wonderful father. I too lost my father and may you continue to feel his love, despite his physical presence being gone. Much love to you. Blessings to your family.

Floresita, I offer you my prayers and condolences. Your father is blessed to have passed peacefully among his family. He sounds like such a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing memories of him with us.

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. I read your post with tears in my eyes. I still have my parents with me, and I treasure the time I have with them. Your post about him and your family was a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. My thoughts are with you.

God bless him. We all need to hold our father's hands a little more while we can. I can't imagine the peace he felt having you near him in those last hours. Take care of yourself and your family...know that he's at peace :)

ah, your post made my heart ache and brought tears to my eyes, and yet I'm so glad that you and he have the hope of eternity at home with God. I am sad for you in the between time until you see him again.

I'm so very sorry for your great loss. This is my first post, and i just had to tell you how sorry I am for the loss of your father. He must have been a great person, and you can tell how much you loved him. ((((hugs))) and my sympahties to you and your family...Michelle

hi there. I don't know you at all, but I pop in on your blog from time to time. My own father is very ill and I have spent alot of time recently holding hands, stroking his hair and singing to him as well. Your post was precious. My heart goes out to you during your time of great loss. Bless you.

this was very sad to read, i can only imagine how difficult it is to lose a parent. sorry about his passing. your father sounds a lot like mine. he's softened a lot since i was a child too. stay strong :)

I was moved by this post about your Dad. My Dad died in 2000 and I wrote this poem for his funeral. Although an Englishman, he was very passionate about native American culture so I incorporated that in the feel of the poem. I wanted to share it with you:

Weep not for the loss of a warrior.Your pain will fade with the passing of time and you shall see him again.He left gifts for you. His strength, his courage and his love. You must rejoice in having known him and celebrate his life. But do not weep. He is free now.

Be strong. You sound like you already are! I still love your creativity.